Post for an electric fence



Sept. 26, 1961 Filed May 22, 1959 s. M. SHOBERT 3,001,765

POST FOR AN ELECTRIC FENCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ELECTRIC fiENcE WIRE ELECTRIC FENCE CHARGER INVENTOR. SAMUEL M. SHOBERT BY 21w q PM ATTORNEYS p 1961 s. M. SHOBERT 3,001,765

POST FOR AN ELECTRIC FENCE Filed May 22, 1959' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11%.. E IlE2. E

INVENTOR. SAMUEL M. SHOBERT BY )fluv/ 4 M ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,001,765 I POST FOR AN ELECTRIC FENCE 7 Samuel M. Shobert, RR. 2, Ireland Road,

Mishawaka, Ind. Filed May 22, 1959, Ser. No. 815,134 3 Claims. (Cl. 256-) The present invention relates to a post for an electric fence.

Electric fences are commonly used for the purpose of fencing in areas in which livestock and the like are contained, these fences usually comprising a single wire charged with high voltage at low current, this wire being maintained a given distance above the surface of the ground by means of supporting posts. Heretofore, such supporting posts have been fabricated of metal, wood and plastic, and it has been found that these materials possess certain deficiencies which render their use unsatisfactory and expensive. v

Metallic fence posts lack permanency in the respect that they corrode, rust and otherwise deteriorate with the passing of time. Also, it is necessary to use electrical insulators on these posts for preventing the charged wire from becoming grounded, and these insulators experience a relatively high rate of breakage. Once an insulator breaks, the charged fence wire usually contacts either the post itself or a metallic member connected to the post, which results in a short-circuit to ground. This short-circuit removes the high voltage from the wire, thereby rendering the fence ineffective in keeping livestock within restricted areas.

. Maintenance of electric fences having metallic posts is relatively expensive, since as the posts, deteriorate beyond a certain point, they must be replaced. Broken or damaged insulators also must be replaced.

With respect to wooden posts, not only is deterioration or rot a problem, but the wood becomes a fairly efiective electrical conductor when it is wet. This conduction of electricity reduces the effectiveness of the charged fence wire, thereby reducing the voltage available for turning back livestock which may come in contact therewith. In addition to these deficiencies, unless the wooden post is quite large in cross-section, it is not as strong as it should be, the lighter wooden posts being subject to breakage under the stress of livestock bearing thereagainst or of high winds due to windstorms. 1

Plastic posts of the type used heretofore; while overcoming some of the defects of the metallic and wooden posts, have lacked the necessary strength and flexibility within the usual limits of practical post size and cost. Such plastic posts are subject to breakage when flexed beyond a certain point, this being due primarily to the lack of resiliency and the fragile character of the plastic ma terials used.

The present invention overcomes all of the foregoing deficiencies and provides a fence post having indefinite life, eliminates the need of electrical insulators, may be permanently colored for viewing at relatively great distances, is strong, flexible and resilient, and, last but not least, is economical as to maintenance and in original manufacture and sale to the ultimate consumer.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a fence post for an electric fence having the characteristics just mentioned.

Itis another object of this invention to provide a post for an electric fence, having extremely high corrosive resistance to the weather and soil elements normally encountered, which resistance extends the life of the post indefinitely.

Yet another object is to provide a postwhich requires no electrical insulators but still maintains the necessary 3,001,765 Patented Sept. 2 6',

2 V electrical insulating requirements in electric fences to" a maximum value regardless of weather conditions.

Other objects become apparent as the description proceeds. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects,;my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrati've only, and that specific change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of this in.-

vention;

FIG. 2 is a top or end view thereof;

'FIG. 3 is a sectional illustration taken substantially along section line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the fence post of the preceding figures properly mounted for supporting. an electric-fence wire;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of another embodiment of this:

invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary illustrationtshown partly in, section of the, embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing a fence wire clampedl in position in the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG.. 8 is an illustration of still another embodiment: of this invention; and i FIG. 9 is a side view of the-embodiment of FIG. 81 with a fence wire clamped in position.

Referring to the drawings, the fence post comprises: a solid, elongated rod 10 which is fabricated of an .elon.-- gated bundle of glass threads imbedded in and thoroughly: impregnated with a suitable, hardened resinous material? such as'a polyester resin. The glass threads are stretched: or tensioned and are maintained in this condition by the hardened resinous material, this tensioning being im-- portant from the standpoint of providing the necessary strength, resiliency and flexibility in the finished rodi. Without the glass thread being so, tensioned, the finishedl rod is relatively weak, non-resilient and non-flexible, and; otherwise is unsatisfactory as a post for use in connec-.- tion with electric fences.

The rod 10 is preferably fabricated in accordance. with: the disclosure of Meek Patent 412,684,318, issued July 20, 1954, and entitled Method and Apparatus for Fabricating Glass Rod, or, further, may be made according to the usual tetchniques involved in the manufacture of the popular, solid, glass-reinforced-plastic fishing rods.

To the upper end of the rod 10 is fastened a metallic eyelet 12 which is composed of a short length of steel wirewhich is stiff enough for maintaining the electricfence wire in supported position. This wire has one end portion tightly coiled at 14 around the rod 10, this coil 14 being so tight as to fasten securely the eyelet to the rod. The other end portion of the wire is bent into an enlarged, substantially closed loop 16, and as shown in FIG. 2 need not be completely closed and may be in the form of a one-turn helix. This loop is joined to the:.coil 14 by a straight portion 18 which extends: laterally from the rod 10. The loop 16 also is aligned: vertically and may thus be said to lie in a plane substan tially parallel to the rod 10. Also, the loop depends: from'the straight portion 18, thereby providing a natural support or retainer for the charged fence wire passed therethrough.

' Intermediate the ends of the rod 10 but positioned more closely to the lower than the upper end of the rod is a step member, indicated generally by the. referencenumeral 20. This member 20 is also formed of relatively stiif and strong steel wire which is fastened at its opposite epglsg-lto spacedpointston the=rogl; 10 by means of thetwo he laalpeilazzah thecoilaZZeand constituting: aniextens'ioii thGIGOfTiSqL horizontal stepportion 26'; which is. joined at its outer. end; by.-means of a supporting; section, 28 t which extends downwardly and inwardly to join the coil 2 The-eyelet 12 as-well as the step-.20; may-befabricated of any suitably. stron-gs'teel or. aluminum wire, Nos. 6'-

and-J8 gaugesteel wire serving-quite satisfactorily. Fort convenience in inserting the rodlllinto. the ground, the lowerend is pointed, asindicatedby-the numeral 30ain In .use; therod 10'is,forced'into.the-ground asishownin FIG. 4 by placing the foot on the step portion 260i the, step member ZOand fQrcing therod downwardly to a suitable depth. Preferably, the rod is driven intothe soil to a depth at which thestep portion; 26 is: flush with thez-ground surface. At-this depth, thestep serves as a stabilizing member for holding the post uprightagainst lateral stresses. AJsuitable wire'32 constituting-the charged: fence wire is threaded gthrough the eye1etsn12 on the upper ends of the rods 10. To this wire 32-is2connected: a source of high voltage-at low current, one side of this source being grounded as shown. Thus, any; animal whichwhile standing on the soil comes intocontact with the wire 32 obtainsa shock through. the circuit-- including the wire 32 and the. soil. p

A second embodiment of the invention'is illustrated; in-v F IGS; 6 and 7; Like numeralsindicatedikeparts. In this embodimenh instead of using. eyeletslzfformed of wire for retainingthe chargedconductor 32 in place, a spring clip,.indicated generally by: the numeral 36; is. used's This clip-is fabricatedof a strip of spring-steel preformed substantially to a. V-shape, the extremities 38' and 40thereof being formed with apertures 42r'and 44, respectively, which are alignedalong an axis substantially normal to-abisector of the: clip angle. Theseapertures 42 .and 44 receive the-rod therethrough, and the presetresilience of the clip tends to spread the-extremities. and40 apart into frictional grippingengagement withthe; rod.

The apex portion ofthe clip is enlarged and'partcylindrical in shape, as indicated by the numeral '46,"this cylindrical portion serving as aretainer forafence wire. 32' as illustrated in FIGS. 6' and 7. The. sizes-of theapertures 42 and 44, the angle between thetwoextremities 38 andy40, and thesize ofthe retainer 46 are such that when the fence wire 32. is fittedinto the retainer portion- 46,- the latter securely clamps the fence wire" in position and=the extremities 38- and 40 firmly engage the rod- 10.; The extremities 38 and 40 are forcefully urged'apartdue to:theinherent resilience of theclipitselfias; wellias the presence ofthe wire-32 in theretainer portion 46 whereupon-the clip is firmly-locked in, positionon therod 10. Ifi-it is. desired to change the positionpfthe clipgonetheq rodg it isonlynecessary to pinch-.01" compress-the ex-.; tremities 38 and 40 toward each otheran, amount su'ffie; cient to release the engagement with thelrod. 10, thereby; permitting the clip -to be movedonntherodato; a desiredi position. i Theuseof this clip 36 is important. for the reasonthat it=notonly'permits aready adjustment of ithe'supportede height of. the fencevwire. 32, but permits the: tensioning;

of the fence wire from posttopost'as the -,fence=gis;beinginstalled. This eliminates the need-of a-fencestretehen which norrn-ally, is required'sto tightenthefence wirewbew,

fore-it; is finally: securedainsplace.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 are illustrated still another -enibodi. meritzof-cthisrinvention; wherein like numeralseagain indicate like parts: This. embodiment differs; fromthat: shownimFIGSi 5-7 intthe respect; that: the .apex;;portionoffi thercliplis formed with two outwardly; extending. spaced apartg parallel sides: 48 :andi 50, respectively,- which.

Yelyi hesecoil l zuand ioiued at themuter ends thereof by a spring section "52.

Asshawhrialilfir v ine. .e 1 splanned etween the two'sides 48 and 50, and this wire 32 is larger in diameter than the spacing between the two sides, the latter form inwardly at 54 to a spacing which is smaller than the diameter offihe ire 2- y. hi me the wire 32 is seeurely clamped in position and is held against 7 movement either longitudinally or laterally.

Since thgpost ,1ll.}isfabricated of glass and resinous material, it is, for ll practical purposes, non-corrosive. It therefore has an indefinite life "and requires no maineuauqe r. erv cin i ce h ass d inous-m terial constituting the posts are good dielectrics, or, iu=,, the w rds, a v i le tricalrinsulatqr it i n t cessa muse.ann rm tsp ei 'm de eqt a ins ato a w i e-in. i se ni h hhv e ll c n qo en: re. ed. s ad i v tion. se a, m t llic. we tainer OI; clamp 12, 36. fastened, to the top of therpost 9tldin he.- ed.fenqe efil in polsi iem he;

part cu ar et m rsdt lampsw F GS- 1. 5 .d.l $i lready escrib d. e xtr mely m l in e i ulahdf equiem). ma nt nance n e c a t r ei in a le -t By reason of the glass threads in therod 1t) bei under tension, therod is resilient and flexible and ean e tve 't th xten q h h e ou d thei t. breaking. This is important inasrnuch as violfil t Win65.

a n t reahorzr rmai ently e o m p t s s r, nthe asssih .W ish e H e Wooden p s r se Therod lltiisvinexpensive, strong, 'andrequire s only he ple t-c ifi t r s m omple in t p t s emb r- "lhisw mi liq ty f. o s t onand s. t0 h ncm n t;

prising a length-of stifiwire having opposite end pQrt Q S one end jpo r tion being coiled tightly around said, rod to,

fi x said lengt h of-wire.thereto,"the other end portion qt said lengthpfiwire ibeing forrned into an enlarged helical coil o f one;turn which extends in a plane substantially Pa alle wa d mike p Secured h d d nte mediate-the ends thereof, said step comprisingasecond length o f stitf wireghaving opposite endportions tightly;

wrappedaroundsaid-rod at spacedapartportions there-T on, said second length extendingradially'outwardlyjrom; he. upper. ndpo t o nd n l n ownw rd y" the lower; end portion whereby said rod may be driven into theearth; by:a downward force orr said step 2-. Aa e t c- Qn e-.pos c mpris n n o ga d d composed of a; bundle of elongated; glass threads undernsion; mbe ded u nd: nde c ethe by a oli ified inous. ma e i lzameta lic y e r i o heupper. end of said rod and comprising a length of stiff wire havingopposite end; portions, one end portion being coied i' ht1v; ouu a d: ;.fi sai l g h w w. e he=0then dn i n of d n -h o e in formed into; an enlarged helical coil of oneturn: which x ends; 11- p1ane h tanti ly p l to d qd;-; step, secured; to said; rod; intermediate the ends thereof, said step comprising-asecond length of stilt wire having; opposite end: portions tightly wrapped around said rod at spacedapart portions thereon, 'said, second lengthen; tending radially outwardly from the upper; endportiong dau l nedown rdly o the lower; pQ Q r her by:said;rod; may bedriveninto.the;earth -by a downward forceon said step. Y

3. An.elect ric -fence post comprising an elongate d-ro d composed of a bundle of elongated glass threagl szunder ensiqneimbedded in andhonded o et e yo idifi esinousrmate al;m rmet llk; yel tz ecure. qzhe npsn end of said rod and comprising a length of stiff wire having opposite end portions, one end portion being coiled tightly around said rod to fix said length of wire thereto, the other end portion of saidlength of wire being formed into a loop which extends in a plane substantially par- 5 allel to said rod; a step secured to saidrod intermediate the ends thereof, said step comprising a second length of stiff wire having opposite end portions tightly wrapped around said rod at spaced apart portions thereon, said second length extending radially outwardly from the upper end portion and angling downwardly to the lower end portion, whereby said rod may be driven into the earth by a downward force on said step.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Smith Feb. 14, Benson "Dec. 25, Anderson Oct. 30, Eggleton Feb. 3, Meek July 20, Moel-ler Sept. 3, Mark -2. Nov. 26, Lach Ian. 28, Steiner Dec. 23, Earle Apr. 26, Bertling NOV. 22,

FOREIGN PATENTS Australia Jan. 21,

France May 6, 

